You will be met from your hotel by your Bilingual guide to commence your walking tour through the streets of La Candelaria Bogota. La Candelaria is Bogotaís heart and soul, from its humble beginnings this is the oldest part of the city and the Plaza Bolivar or Main Square are high on any visitorís agenda. The Bolivar Square (La Plaza de Bolivar) is the focal point of this historic part of the city. Surrounding the square are several important Colonial and Republican style buildings including the Palace of Justice and Colombian Congress, they embrace the square infusing it with history and tales of old. The Plaza is also home to the Mayorís office and the Primary Cathedral of Bogota that dominates an entire corner. Standing proud in the plazas centre is a statue of Simon Bolivar (The founder of Colombian independence) this was the first public monument to be erected in the city.

As you relax in a cafe and wander the streets of La Candelaria away from the main square and exploring other parts of this historic hub, your guide will not only explain the history of Bogota but also the intricacies of current Colombian culture and daily life. In order to understand Colombia you need to understand the history of its capital, your tour of the historic part of Bogota will lay the foundations for the rest of your trip helping you to understand how this complex and fascinating county ticks.

Full day tour to Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral ending in Villa de Leyva

You will be met from your hotel by your driver and taken directly to Zipaquira for your full day tour of Zipaquira and the Salt Cathedral, a journey of about approximately 2 hours to reach Zipaquira.

For some this is a religious monument, others a celebration of engineering or maybe even an artistic masterpiece. One of the marvels of Colombia, the Salt Cathedral of Zipaquira is well worth the visit. For the beauty of its landscapes, the richness of its earth and the hidden jewel beneath the earthís surface, Zipaquira is somewhat of a must during a stay in Bogot·. Travelling north of the city, through countryside once occupied by the native Muisca Indians, Zipaquira is one of the more popular tourist destinations in Colombia. Zipaquira is most famous for its Cathedral carved underground in a still functioning salt mines just west of the town.

The subtle lighting pronounces the fourteen Stations of the Cross as you descend in to the mine, each station sculpted by a different artist. At the deepest point of the cathedral, 180 m below the earthís surface, you encounter the nave and the north and south aisles dominated by the 16m high central cross. The illumination and execution of the work is a tribute to modern techniques and years of work from the miners and artists. Your guide will explain all about the cathedrals construction and how it and the mine still function in harmony. However you view this construction, you canít fail to be impressed by its size and grandeur.

Around the central square of the town of Zipaquira the colonial buildings still hold their charm footed by brickwork paving and overlooked by the Cathedral Diocesana de San Antonio.

From Zipaquira we continue through the department of Boyaca to the town of Villa de Leyva

Villa de Leyva is Located some 150 kilometres north of Bogota, about four hours by car, passing through stunning savannah landscapes on the way. With its myriad of winding cobbled streets, lined on either side by orange roofed white washed houses, and surrounded by mountains, the village is a charming place to while away a few days. With scarcely a modern building in site and boasting one of the largest cobbled-stoned squares in South America this village where time stands still is a great place to see a snap shot of historical Colombia preserved in its entirety.

The Hosteria del "Molino de la Mesopotamia" used to be an old mill but has been turned into a hotel packed to bursting with antiques and older than the village itself. You can also visit the birthplace of Antonio Ricaurte and the house in which Antonio NariÒo lived. The latter translated the 'Rights of Man' into Spanish and both men became important figures in the Independence Movement.

Just outside Villa de Leyva, there are some wonderful walks and excursions that can be made within half a day or a day. Alternatively you can take in some of the other sites such as visiting ancient giant Fossils, Muiscan observatories and indigenous sites or simply out on horseback to enjoy the enchanting scenery.

You will be collected by your Bilingual guide at your hotel to commence your walking tour around the historical part of Villa de Leyva. We recommend a sturdy pair of shoes for this excursion as the cobbled streets of the old town can become slippery in wet weather. You will walk through to the enormous plaza, undulating across its cobbled expanse of 14,000 sq m, and said to be the largest in Colombia maybe even in all South America! The plaza is home to the main church that dominates the square. From the Plaza you will visit some of the interesting buildings including the house of Antonio NariÒo, where you will learn all about the stories of this very important figure in the history of Villa de Leyva and Colombia. You will then make your way to other interesting buildings in the centre such as the Monasteries de las Carmelitas Descalzas still occupied by a secretive sect of nuns and the Casa del primer congress. Your guide will be on hand to explain about the area and how rural Colombian life affects the local inhabitants. This fascinating walk through the quaint cobbled streets of the village gives you an insight in to what life in Colombia may have been like in days gone by.

Afternoon private Transfer from hotel with English Speaking Guide to El Dorado Airport Bogota. Late afternoon flight to Medellin.

On arrival in Medellin you will be met by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel.

You will be met from your hotel by your driver & Bilingual guide to commence your city tour of Medellin. Medellin is certainly a city with a history from the cities valiant founding fathers trekking across the Andes, through to the dark days of drug cartels and the cities rebirth as one of South Americas most vibrant cities. A city tour of the central part of Medellin can really help to bring the city to life and to help you understand why this city is so important to Colombia in terms of both commerce and culture. The city tour will take in all principal sites and locations of this fascinating location. These sites will include the "Parque Berrio" the famous Botero sculpture park where many giant sculptures of Colombia most famous artist and Medellin born sculptor Fernando Botero are exhibited. A ride on the cites famous metro cable or cable car will not only provide great views of the city but will be a chance to understand a bit more about the geography and social make up of Colombians second city. A trip to the museum of Antioquia (Medellin is the capital of the state/department of Antioquia) will give you an idea of the history of the region comes together. Your guide will explain about the history of not only Medellin but how its importance fits in to the history of Colombia.

On arrival in Cartagena you will be met by your English speaking guide and transferred to your hotel.

Late afternoon walking tour of the Historic Centre

You will be met by from your hotel by your guide to commence your walking tour through the streets of the Historic centre of Cartagena.

Carved from a colourful history rife of piracy, Sultry Caribbean heat, with fusions of African, indigenous and European culture, Cartagena is Colombiaís living, breathing and pulsating museum. Absurdly photogenic La Heroica (Heroic city) awards even the laziest of travellers. Colour splashes every corner, balconies overflow with blossom, and energy seeps beneath the ancient wooden doors of hotels, restaurants and Casa Privadas. Fresh fruit juices and seafood stalls are rich pickings within the myriad of cobbled streets.

Heels click instinctively with the throb of Salsa from CafÈ Havana, dance is integral, and voyeurism is out! Observe the hustle and bustle over a cool beer at Donde Fidels as street vendors add local colour to the cobbled highways.

Your tour will take through the old town under the Puerta Del Reloj (Clock tower entrance), a symbol of Cartagena, into the Plaza de los Coches. Your guide will divulge the myths and legends, histories and stories of Cartagena from ancient times right up to the present. From the Plaza San Pedro Claver with its stunning Church, on through to the Plaza Bolivar; with its shady areas, where a fresh Lemon juice can be enjoyed whilst watching the world go by. Cartagena is steeped in history and a delight to stroll the streets with your own personal encyclopaedia of knowledge guiding you from one interest to the other.

You will have plenty to keep you occupied with a free day in Cartagena. The streets are alive with life and people watching is an endless activity. This can be done strolling the cobbled streets or from the comfort of a local restaurant with cool fruit juice in hand. Cartagena is an attraction in itself, but there are also plenty of local shops to occupy even the most ardent shopper. If you fancy a good walk (or taxi if you donít) a trip down to the beaches of Boca Grande will let you soak up some sun and see how the locals enjoy their city beach.

Approx ADDITIONAL internal ONE WAY flight costs. Subject to availability at time of booking. Flight costs could be less or more depending on date of travel GBP Per person Bogota - Medellin £115.00 per person Medellin - Cartagena £150.00 per person Cartagena - Bogota £140.00 per person.